Texting in the cold >>>
No more fat-fingered, drunk-like texts. No more fumbling to get your gloves off so you can work your touchscreen. No more frozen fingertips! All of this thanks to these awesome smart phone gloves. From a simple version, where the thumb and index finger fold back ($12 at www.roxy.com), to the earth-friendlier, bamboo-made version ($23.99 at www.agloves.com), these great stocking stuffers will add a little G-Love to your list. Just make sure to pick up a pair for yourself - it's cold outside! - Nikki Talotta
WHERE TO FIND IT: agloves.com or roxy.com
Don't lose the past >>>
Grandma just showed up to your house and handed you a little box. Closer inspection of the contents reveals antique floppy discs. Grandma says Grandpa saved poems he wrote her on them. You're about to tell Grandma today's computers don't do antique floppy disks and she's S.O.L. Do you really want to be the grandkid that makes Grandma cry at Christmas? No, no you do not. Instead, get Grandma a Bytecc external floppy disk drive that connects to current technology via USB. Grandma can now read Grandpa's poetry any time she likes ... and you'll still be in the will. - Jennifer Johnson
WHERE TO FIND IT: Infotech, 1414 S. 324th S., #B112 , Federal Way, 253.839.3540, infotechnow.com
The gift of yes, no, sometimes or unknown >>>
20Q is a small, handheld game that costs $10 to $15 depending on which version you buy. The game plays 20 questions with you, allowing you to answer Yes, No, Sometimes, or Unknown. It is eerily accurate. While this little wonder is most usually in the toys section at Target or Toys R Us, don't be fooled. This is a great gift for adults, too. Try to get the game to guess naughty words and it often seems to have a sense of humor. Does it really know what you meant and just wants to retain its modesty? We'll never know. $10-15. - Kristin Kendle
WHERE TO FIND IT: Toys R Us or Target
Penetrate cavities this Christmas >>>
Need to find a gift for Mr. Has-Every-Gadget-Known-to-Man? Consider a gift that will clean every gadget known to man. Cyber Clean! According to its package, Cyber Clean is "The high-tech cleaning compound that catches dirt and harmful particles." (It also claims to "penetrate in cavities" - eww.) It's like Sham-Wow, only smaller, high-tech and without the catchy/annoying spokesperson and jingle. Makes a great stocking stuffer. (Does that count as "penetrating a cavity?"). $49.99. - NT
WHERE TO FIND IT: cyberclean.tv.
Geeks celebrate the holidays too >>>
Fireworks Gallery is at once an art gallery and a gift shop. Founded by a Seattle woman and originally stocked with playful gift items by artists, Fireworks has expanded to include all kinds of creative gifts, including techie items with a twist. If you know someone who has to work on the go, any number of USB hubs and drives can be found here. Drives disguised as stormtroopers, Batman, Darth Maul, R2-D2 or C-3P0 are perfect for nerd needs. USB hubs that look like an octopus or a man make interesting companion pieces - think an octopus being devoured by C3P0s on every tentacle/USB port and enjoy. $12.50-$42. - KK
WHERE TO FIND IT: fireworksgallery.net
Things that light up are awesome >>>
If your LAN party friends just don't have enough computer case glow in their lives, Xoxide.com is the place to go. If it glows and has something to do with a computer, you will find it here. Bad-ass computer cases, glowing fans and more - all just waiting to make you the coolest WOW player on the block. For less advanced computer modders, choose glowing keyboards, mice, speakers or other peripherals. These all make excellent gifts for most gamers, but also light up the life of anyone who spends way too much time on his or her computer. Prices vary. - KK
WHERE TO FIND IT: Xoxide.com
It's important to maintain your charge >>>
I'm definitely not a high-tech girl, but one item on this year's market has caught my attention - and I think it's because it's a "green" product more than the fact it's a tech product. Anyway, enough about me ... let me tell you about this wonder gadget. It's the tiny, solar-powered Solio Bolt! With accommodations for almost any USB-powered device, this solar powered portable battery charger promises two full phone charges. So, charge anything you need without the hassle of having to borrow a plug at your favorite Wi-Fi café, or make sure the kids can plug into their favorite electronic toy on that long drive to grandma's house without worry. $70. - NT
WHERE TO FIND IT: solio.com
Revenge is the sweetest gift of all >>>
Need revenge on an ex? Have an obnoxious coworker? Just want to mess with a random person? The ThinkGeek Annoy-a-Tron 2.0 may just turn your torque. Smaller than a credit card, this tiny invention does nothing more than beep (at adjustable pitches) every two to eight seconds. The beeps are designed to be as annoying as possible to the human ear. Hide it. Kick back. And wait for the madness to begin. Even if your victim finds it, they are unlikely to know what it is or how to destroy it. Well worth an investment of $12.99. $12.99. - KK
WHERE TO FIND IT: ThinkGeek.com
Make your computer work again >>>
Steve McFarland is my hero. And if you have computer trouble, or need a new PC or custom Mac, he can be yours too. His computer store, Epic PC, has cats. He leaves the most awesome, self-produced counter-culture videos on my desktop (only with my permission, of course). He even gave me a ride home one day after fixing my computer, blasting metal in his little yellow hatchback. This guy has tons of gear - it's like Hoarders, only it's computer components, which allows him to offer a nice range of surprisingly affordable custom PCs and laptops. His partner does custom Macs. Recognize. Call for quote. - Paul Schrag
WHERE TO FIND IT: Epic PC, 211 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.627.4379
Power at your fingertips >>>
This little wonder will have the nerd in your life drooling like Steve Jobs just got resurrected. You've never seen a pen with this much power. Twist the metal tip one way, and watch a ballpoint pen emerge as gently as a baby turtle head. Twist it another, and you'll be delighted to see a stylus emerge for use with your iPad or ear canal. Press the top button, and a high-powered laser pointer will give you the edge you need to conquer. Press the bottom button to alternate between a UV light and flashlight, which is mounted on a flexible rod for precision aiming. Geek heaven! $9.99. - PS
WHERE TO FIND IT: Watermark, 1115 A St., Tacoma, 253.383.2041
No, seriously >>>
There's an Austrian legend of a farmer who became so poor that he sought help from an old mountain woman rumored to have strange powers. When he told her his sad tale, the old woman took pity on the man and handed him a cucumber. "Take this," she said. "Pickle it as you always do, but add a few drops of blood from a freshly slain pheasant, and repeat these words: N'grahtith. Esset. Misdepax'ng. ..." The man did as he was told. A week later, the cucumber turned into a yodeling pickle, and killed everyone in the village. Don't worry. This is a reproduction. $14.99. - PS
WHERE TO FIND IT: Brownie Morrison, 712 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.683.2924
Oldschool tech >>>
Sixteen-millimeter films are rapidly passing from the American movie world, and are becoming extremely rare. Nice thing is, the ones that are left are affordable enough that, unlike many other retro-formats, they are still financially accessible to freshman film collectors. And you can get an amazing assortment of 16mm movies online starting at about $15. I found a Richard Ashworth documentary about economic development in the Middle East during the late ‘70s, for example, on one of the many internet-based distributors keeping the dream alive for classic film buffs. Are you stoked? There are tons of films available on 16mm. Start your collection. $75. - PS
WHERE TO FIND IT: Sanford and Son Antiques, 743 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.0334
Apocalypse preparation starts now >>>
When the Apocalypse happens, you will walk the wasteland, traveling with only what you can carry. List of essentials: iodine for purifying water, fishing pole, wide-brim hat, gas mask, extra shoes, iPod, fruit roll ups, talking dog, Axe Body Spray and a Daisy, Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol. Imagine the surprise of a pack of cannibal marauders when you start shooting out their eyes with your silly toy space pistol. Originally produced as the XZ-38 Disintegrator, the U-283 Buck Rogers Atomic Pistol might shoot your eye out, but it also might save you from cannibals as you walk the wastelands. $250-$375. - PS
WHERE TO FIND IT: Broadway's Best Antiques, 742 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.617.3509